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I know next to nothing about WM or Hordes.

But what would it cost approximately $$ wise to start and get enough models to play typical game sizes (using 40K - 1850 point size as an analogy)?

And how many models, more or less (I realize it will probably vary by faction / list), would that put on the table?

Thanks!

Well the rules are free online for mk2 and Mk3 the rules will be free in June

Most people play mk2 rule set at 35 or 50 pts.

I threw together a quick 35pt Menoth list on MM site and it came out to $244.71 a 50 pt list would cost a little over $300

 KiloFiX wrote:
I know next to nothing about WM or Hordes.

The rulebook is free online, and apparently the new editions rulebook will be released for free as well. In terms of lore, it's well worth looking into the rpg material - it's excellent, and very well developed.

 KiloFiX wrote:

But what would it cost approximately $$ wise to start and get enough models to play typical game sizes (using 40K - 1850 point size as an analogy)?
!

Don't use 40k as an analogy. They're completely different games with completely different scales.

Typical game size for WMH is 2-list 35-50pts (which can be the same list,just a swapped caster) Which is meaningless in ways. The nomenclature in the new edition will change and while the 'size' will remain the same, the nomenclature will double (50pt games in mk2 will be 100pt games in mk3)

In terms of price, it depends entirely on what your list contains. If it's built on the all in one starters, thrn it will be very reasonable. If it's based on an 'exotic' list like my uhlan heavy 'charge of the horselords' all-cavalry list, or the 'mad dogs of war' doom reaver spam list, it will cost you more.

But generally, you can sink your teeth into the game for a respectable buy in. My first tourney list cost me less than £100 all told.

 KiloFiX wrote:


And how many models, more or less (I realize it will probably vary by faction / list), would that put on the table?

Thanks!

It depends entirely. Like, if you go with a hordes beast-heavy list, or a warmachine double colossal list, you will be putting less than a dozen models on the board. If you go dudespam, it could be thirty or forty, depending on what you take. There is no 'hard and fast' answer as list building is completely different to what you'll be used to in 40k.

If you go to discount games' website they have a list of all the tournament players lists. I believe they also have a "purchase" button to just buy all of the items on that list. So you can go there and see what it costs to run some lists.

Makes sense. Thanks all!

The analogy to 40k, 1850 pt level, is 50 pts.
I'd go to BattleCollege to choose a faction. WM is a bit easier to play than Hordes due to focus/fury management.
For a 50 pt list, you need about 200$.

This is a hard question to answer right now, as the points values and rules on models are being re-worked for MK III.

Realize that army composition is VERY different from 40K. Also a new edition of Warmachine/Hordes has been announced, with free rules coming in June.

Your Warcaster comes with free warjack points- and depending on which Warcaster, you can field at least one "free" warjack. Privateer Press has said those free points are going way up- so you'll be able to field multiple free warjacks.

A 35 point game will typically have your battlegroup (Warcaster and warjacks), a unit of 10 models, and then 2-3 solo's. That's around 15-20 models.

50 points is usually a similar battlegroup to 35 points, but probably with "upgraded" warjacks, two-three units of 10 models, and around 3-5 solos. I'd say 35 models.

However, certain Warcasters lean towards certain army lists. I've fielded exactly 4 models in a 50 point list. I've seen over 50 models in a 50 point list. Again, a lot depends on the faction and warcaster you select. If you want to get into tournament play, you will need two army lists to play. In a Stearmoller Tournament (Steamroller is the name of the tournament rules for Warmachine and Hordes), after you sit down and read the scenario, you share your two lists with your opponent, then you select which list you are going to use. The two lists at the very least have to have a different warcaster, but the rest of the list can be the same (except for certain versions of Steamroller), or be two completely different lists.

Money wise, I'd say around $200. It's hard to say, as there are a lot of online discount retailers out there, but Privateer Press just announced some new policies about such online discount retailers. eBay would probably be your best bet for a cheap army, but that comes with all kinds of issues itself. The rules for the game are free, and you don't need the Faction Books for your faction. They are just a fluff and model/rules collection for the faction, and they are all a bit out of date- not to mention they will be useless in about two months.

Ok, thanks all.

Apart from going to Discount Games and selecting one of the Tourney lists, are there any recommended boxed sets or bundles that are already at the 50pt level?

There aren't any boxes or bundles that go up to 50.

If you can find them, there are the "all in one" boxes, which give you a pretty solid 35 point list (about 1000, 1250 points 40k wise I think).

Another thing: when the new addition launches they'll have all new battleboxes. These have the rules, 4 or 5 models, tokens, etc. This is awesome in itself (plus new warcaster/warlocks which won't be sold by themselves for a little bit), but it also updates each factions battlebox.

There are battleboxes now, but they're out of date (set up during Mk.1), so they are pretty uneven power wise.

I would recommend against getting someone's tournament list right now. Those are heavily tuned towards the current meta at competitive events and what is good in those is highly likely to change with the release of MK3.

The thing you need to ask yourself is where are you going to play and who are going to be your opponents? My local scene is dominated by people who travel to every major tournament and have set the tone that local gaming nights at clubs and stores are just their tournament practice.

A bunch of us just bring 25 point armies and the gaming time is now cut in half with half the people doing 50 point 2/3 list tournament practice and the other half playing 25 point non-competitive games. We used to have a lot more people show up, but they left when the nights became all about tournament practice and we haven't gotten the word out to them that we're turning things around.

Those people (probably the smart ones) just play against friends in the privacy of their homes.

If I were you I'd stick to the battle boxes and try to pick up plastic models as they tend to be much cheaper.

then if you like your initial foray you can see what else is out there and look into the mark 3 rule rumors more.